Andre Yoskowitz
7 Aug 2010 23:46
Google has confirmed that it has acquired Slide, the social networking gaming site.
Says Google: "We’re excited to announce we’ve acquired Slide, a social technology company with an extensive history of building new ways for people to connect with others across numerous platforms online."
The startup was created in 2005 by Max Levchin, the co-founder of PayPal.
NYTimes reported the acquistion price at $228 million while TechCrunch said $182 million. Google did not reveal the final number. Regardless, the price is a lot cheaper than the $500 million valuation the service was given in 2008.
When Slide began, Levchin used it as a third-party photo sharing service but it quickly evolved into a widget and app service, used in social networking giants like Facebook and MySpace.
The company's two most popular apps are SuperPoke and SPP Ranch. The first allows you to adopt a virtual pet, and exchange money for virtual goods.
Google has been spending significant amounts of money in an effort to start a social gaming platform, investing $150 million in market leader Zynga among other purchases.